Pune-Nagpur Train Ticket Crisis: Waiting Lists Soar to 250
As Diwali approaches, thousands of passengers face severe ticket shortages on Pune-Nagpur trains, with waiting lists reaching alarming levels.
Waiting lists for trains between Pune and Nagpur have surged to between 177 and 250.
Only 40 out of 216 special train trips announced are allocated for the Hadapsar-Nagpur route.
Passengers demand more regular and special services to accommodate the festive travel rush.
With Diwali just around the corner, residents of Vidarbha, particularly those working or studying in Pune, are grappling with a significant challenge: securing confirmed railway tickets home. The 700-kilometer journey between Pune and Nagpur has become an annual struggle, with many passengers unable to find available seats despite the announcement of special trains for the festive season.
A review of the booking status for the first ten days of November reveals a dire situation. Many trains operating on the Pune-Nagpur corridor are displaying 'REGRET' or 'NOT AVAILABLE' for various classes, with waiting lists reaching as high as 250. The peak travel period is expected from November 5 to 10, exacerbating the already critical shortage of seats.
Despite the introduction of additional festive services, passengers are still facing difficulties in securing tickets. The Azad Hind Express and Maharashtra Express, among others, show significant waiting lists, and many special trains are also fully booked. This has led to calls for more permanent train services and additional coaches to better serve the high demand during the festival season.
The limited number of direct trains connecting Pune and Nagpur is at the heart of the issue. Currently, only three regular trains operate on this busy route, forcing many to rely on special services during peak times. As a result, securing a ticket has become increasingly challenging, particularly for those who plan their journeys in advance.
Looking ahead, passengers are urging the Central Railway to enhance the frequency of special trains and increase the number of coaches on existing services. They emphasize the need for a more robust regular schedule to accommodate the growing number of travelers year-round. With Diwali being a critical time for family reunions, the ongoing ticket crisis raises concerns about the adequacy of railway capacity to meet passenger demand in Maharashtra's key travel corridors.
